Couldn't ask for a nicer day. I left the trailhead around 7:45. I had the summit to myself. I got off the main trail a couple of times as snow drifts obscured the direct route. Passed a lot of people on the way up on my decent.

There were still many snowfields to hike through, including one dangerous one near the top of this ridge (on the north facing side of course). The footsteps were deep, but it was quite scary. On the way down, we ended up walking on the boulders to get past that one snowfield. Otherwise, the view from the top is always spectacular! Oh and bring your bug spray and anti itch stick! The mosquitoes were relentless on the way up and back down.

The top of the couloir was heavily corniced, but Josh H. and I spied a small chute veering to the right, branching from the main couloir close to the top. Its entrance was protected by some rock and ice, but once we got past this crux it was 100 feet of climbing at 60 degrees on good snow till we topped out. Excellent day!

Climbed on arguably the final hiking (as opposed to snowshoeing) day of the 2010 season. Started at 11am and finished at 5:30pm. Mostly pleasant hike, although a cold front blew over between the start of the hike and about 3pm, causing chilly temps and windy conditions in exposed areas. As we began our descent, the sun came out and warmed things up, winds calmed down, and some spectacular cumulous clouds formed over the crystal range. A significant snowstorm arrived the following morning, which probably will result in permanent snow cover at higher elevations until Spring.

My SPS peak number 4.
Although I did enjoy Granite Chief quite a bit the day before, the hike up Tallac was the highlight of my climbing career so far. I liked splashing in Cathedral Lake, which was surprisingly warm. Then I took a nap. The hike was tough for my father. He had to lay down for several minutes on the summit while my mother and I were enjoying the views. We were the last party on the top that day. Got back just before dark.

Mariel (age 11), Rich and I had a lovely and challenging hike today! We started off at 9:15am in 55 degree sunny weather. Gorgeous day the whole way, not too hot, a bit buggy in places. The hike above Cathedral Lake was difficult - steep and rock hopping over large, sharp boulders and steep loose shale. The trail was difficult to find in many places and we got lost on the way back. The top was amazing! The views were completely worth the hike and everything others have posted about the views were true. Spectacular views of Lake Tahoe, Desolation Wilderness, Emerald Bay, and Fallen Leaf Lake. We took 8.5 hours to do the entire hike and went through all of our water (one camelback per person). Used a lot of sunscreen and bug spray. All had hats and sunglasses. We saw 6 marmots, many, many chipmunks, heard a grouse. We are sore but glad we did it!